Your writing style is awesome! Don't lose hope. What you describe at the end is 'love' in commercial society and hook-up culture, but it doesn't have to be that way at all.
When I finally met someone, our initial romantic phase was fine. It wasn't like I suddenly opted into this horrid system. There were obstacles at first because we had to do a long-distance relationship for a while, and busy work schedules, technical difficulties, and time zones got in the way. One of the most romantic things we did together was going to a farmer's market and then making a simple vegetable soup one day. And we never bought each other any of the bullshit gifts you mention. I decided not to celebrate Valentine's Day for that reason. I think it's stupid!